Lemont High School counselor Dana Browne will be retiring after 16 years of guiding students at LHS. Before counseling, Browne had volunteered at the school for two years helping the counselors with schedule changes, college planning, meeting with students, helping students write resumes, participating in staff meetings and assisting in evening presentations. Then, she became the guidance secretary from 2011-2014, after receiving her Master’s degree in School Counseling from National-Louis University in June of 2010 She became a full time guidance counselor in August of 2014.
More than just a guidance counselor, Browne learned to be a good mentor and an advocate for students. She saw the best in students when they were at their lowest, giving them courage to look for better opportunities.
She remembers a specific accomplishment in building relationships with students: “I think the relationships I formed with students has been the most rewarding part of my job. I helped [a student] get her [Certified Nursing Assistant certificate] when she was in high school. She had early release to go to [College Of DuPage] to do that,” Brown said. “The progression that all the students make is probably the most rewarding part of my job.”
Students who had Browne as a counselor will remember her room having a very calming and welcoming energy. She hopes for this school to build stronger resilience and empowerment during the next generation of counseling, such as Lemont Time in which students get to connect more with their teachers.
“Students aren’t as outgoing as they used to be. But it’s coming around finally, which is a good thing. I think with Lemont Time that has helped,” Browne said. “Kids have somebody they can go to other than teachers, but you form that bond through Lemont Time with the kids.”
Browne will retire leaving behind lasting connections and impactful guidance. Students will remember the support that she gave through challenging times and her celebration of their achievements along the way. This transition into retirement opens new opportunities for fulfillment, leaving behind a lasting impact that will be remembered by all who got to work alongside her.
